People Doing Stupid Things

I'm With Stupid

If you've ever wondered why conservatives hate liberals so much, you need look no further than an article that ran in The Aspen Times on June 29 to find part of your answer. The story, which ran on the front page, concerned the Basalt Town Council and a decision by that group to explore the idea of “charging a small fee for use of disposable paper and plastic bags in the town's two grocery stores.” As much as possible, governments should try to avoid telling people how they should behave. The very notion runs counter to the principles of liberty on which this country was founded. I realize that in certain scenarios — violent crimes, for example — regulations are necessary, but when it comes to things like grocery bags, do we really need another layer of bureaucracy? Furthermore, who the hell does the Basalt Town Council think it is dictating the way a business should operate? Have we really become so authoritarian around here? If the Basalt Town Council starts telling grocery stores that they have to charge a fee for the use of bags, are they going to insist that every other retail operation follow suit? Gasoline consumption is bad for the environment, too. Is the Basalt Town Council going to impose a limit on the number of miles Basalt residents can drive each week? And, not that it really matters, but let's talk about these so-called single-use disposable plastic bags, shall we? Does the Basalt Town Council really think that people just throw the bags away when they get home? Maybe some people do, but I don't know anyone that does. After I take the groceries out of my plastic bags, I reuse them to line the wastebaskets in my house or pick up dog poop with them. If I didn't have any plastic grocery bags, I would just end up buying trash bags made from — you guessed it — plastic. Health experts are pushing for federal taxes on soda and other sugary drinks; the citizens of San Francisco will soon be voting on a ballot measure that would make circumcisions illegal in all cases, religious or otherwise; and everywhere I go I see parking spaces that are reserved for drivers of hybrid vehicles. I can't be the only one who finds that incredibly sanctimonious and annoying. Here's what I would like to see happen: Since, as far as I know, there's no legal precedent that would allow the Basalt Town Council to dictate the way a grocery store conducts its business, I'd love to see The Kroger Co.

Money, Money, Money? « James Taylor

San Francisco and Silicon Valley are exciting places to be living just now as a number of tech companies go public and turn their founders into millionaires overnight.  Most of these founders are the same age as me (in their 30′s), but what I find interesting is that this is a generation of entrepreneurs that are rejecting the usual status symbols of fast cars and yachts in favour of reinvesting their money in social enterprises and new start-ups.

Facebook co-founder Dustin Moskovitz is the world’s youngest billionaire at the tender age of 27.  Although he could afford any home he wanted he chose a condo in San Francisco, takes his bike to work, flies coach (that’s economy to my UK readers) and through his charities aims to give away his money during his lifetime.  In a recent LA Times article he said:

Then there are entrepreneurs like Derek Sivers who founded CDBaby.com before selling it for $22million.  He put his millions into a charitable trust so when he dies, all of its assets will go to music education.  But while he’s alive, it pays out 5% of its value per year to him (he actually said he would have preferred 1% but the law dictated he received the higher amount).  Derek said:

“I live simply.  I hate waste and excess.  I have a good apartment, a good laptop, and a few other basics.  But the less I own, the happier I am.  The lack of possessions gives me the priceless freedom to live anywhere anytime.  Having too much money can be harmful.  It throws off perspective.  It makes people do stupid things like buy “extra” cars or houses they don’t use – or upgrade to first class for “only” $10,000 so they can be a little more comfortable for a few hours.”

The LA Times article also talked about Joe Greenstein, who last month sold his San Francisco company Flixster for around $80 million.  Even after his windfall the 33-year-old entrepreneur still pays $1,000 a month for the same basic San Francisco studio apartment he has rented for the last 10 years.  He simply believes he is fortunate to not have to worry about money and be able to do what he loves.

Leo Babauta is one of the most read bloggers here yet he writes not about doing deals or the latest gadgets but on subjects like minimalism, living sustainably and simplifying ones life.

This is a post Enron, post recession group of entrepreneurs who take a cooler approach to wealth and wealth creation.  I’m sure it’s just as driven as the previous dot-com boom but there is a realism and maturity of thought concerning possessions that was perhaps lacking then.  This is a group of people that want to change the world through technology and do cool things.  I can’t help feeling how different this is from the greed often on display within the banking and financial services sector and it will be interesting to see as the tech bubble grows whether that sense of proportion continues amongst the entrepreneurs here.

I love randomly video chatting people doing stupid things

lol!! Why thank ya!! :D yeah I totally agree :D she was watching people doing stupid things on YouTube :D

RT : Please don't think of doing such stupid things . not only will you hurt yourself , you will hurt the people who cares about you

Please don't think of doing such stupid things . not only will you hurt yourself , you will hurt the people who cares about you

you like watching videos of people doing stupid things that end in injury, now don't you?

563 Stupid Things Stupid People Do to Mess Up Their Lives

An imperfect world deserves imperfect advice, which is why Dr. Larry decided to finish the job that Dr. Laura started with "10 Stupid Things People Do to Mess ...

Mental Traps, Stupid Things That Sane People Do to Mess Up Their Minds

"Mental Traps will ring loud bells and switch on bright lights in the minds of all who read it.

Why Smart People Do Stupid Things, Revised and Updated

We need to take a look at individuals and individuals need to take a look at themselves. This book explores why and it offers possible solutions.

Why Smart People Do Stupid Things with Money, Overcoming Financial Dysfunction

Bert Whitehead, one of the top money-management advisors in America, gives you all the information you need to manage your wealth wisely by relying on your ...

Everyday Survival, Why Smart People Do Stupid Things

“Well-written and fascinating . . . this is the kind of book you want everyone to read.”--Cleveland Plain Dealer